Erste Bank Open: Dominic Thiem "right from the start"
After Dominic Thiem made after his first round win at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga relief wide.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Oct 23, 2019, 12:53 pm
by Nikolaus Fink from the Wiener Stadthalle
The relief was Dominic Thiem just minutes after the highly competitive 6: 4 and 7: 6 (2) victory against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga written in the face. Smiling, the lightweaver answered questions from the numerous journalists, giving insights into his psychic life, which was slightly less positive than usual immediately after the draw.
"I already had 'jitters'," Thiem admitted frankly after the opening success. "Tsonga has always played well here," said Lichtenwörther on the three finals, including a Frenchman's victory in Vienna. Therefore, it was important to be "there from the start".
With a break in the middle of the first set, the world ranking fifth placed the course early on success. In the second round Thiem let out some break chances at the beginning, before he played a rock-solid tiebreak and thus the first victory against Tsonga in the third duel.
"I also improved once again in the match and at the beginning I did not see any country in the return games," said the Austrian. Overall, Thiem classified the game as "the best first-round match" in Vienna.
High self-confidence after Asian tour
The reason for this? Confidence after the strong events in Asia. "The big difference is that I have a lot of self-confidence, and after the Asian tour, I have a very, very good feeling about tennis," said the 26-year-old.
The support of the Viennese public was an "insanity". Thiem will also need them on Thursday, as in the second round Fernando Verdasco is a fierce opponent of the local hero - Thiem defeats 0: 4 in the head to head with the Spaniard.
skywien
The only weakness Thiem sees in the Spaniard's footwork, the exploit he had in the past, however, not so well done. "It's hard to get there, because he makes a lot of steam with the serve," said the World Ranking Fifth. In a similar strong performance as against Tsonga Thiem does not have to worry too much though.